Articulator



Nov. 21, 1939. M.- GALETTI 2,180,673

ART I CULATOR Filed Jan. 15, 1957 swam kw MARIO GALETTI M, WW

Patented Nov. 21, 1939 2,180,673

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AB'I'ICULATOB Mario 'Galetfl, mlan, Its! Application January 15, 1931, Serial No. 120,789 in Italy January 31, me

3 Claims. 101. 32-32) The present invention relates to dental articuof the articulator, by bringing the movable abutlators. 4 ments 9, l opposite the corresponding models It has already been proposed to provide a denthe other edges of which are supported against tal articulator in which two articulated sections, the fixed abutments on their respective sections.

5 each adapted to support a plaster model, are In order to make possible a similar rapid and 6 connected together by a connecting rod, one end accurate regulation of the correct position of of which is coupled to one section by a ball and articulation of the two models, the connection socket joint while the stem of the connecting between the two sections of the articulator is rod is slidably and rotatably mounted in a supeflected by a device comprising two universal 10 port attached to-the other section. joints separated from one anotherby an adjust- 10 The object of the present invention is to effect able distance; This device includes a rod l1 improvements in the adjustable connections beterminating in a ball I8 which engages in two tween the connecting rod, the support and the socket parts having spherical surfaces formed section of the articulator attached-to the support. in a prolongation I! of the upper plate I and in 1 This object is attained by the arrangement a part 20 which can be fitted on and secured to according to the present invention in which the the said prolongation by means of a screw 2| so as support carries a rotatable ring, which is reto confine the ball l8 forcibly, whereby the mutual tained thereon by means of a flange provided on attachment can be made rigid as soon as the said support and is pivotally connected by a fork parts have been set in the correct relative posijoint to said other section. The support prefertions. The stem of the rod I1 is slidably ar- 20 ably comprises an inner part provided with a ranged in a support 22 which forms part of the clamp screw and an outer part in the form of an other universal joint and the position of the rod external sleeve, both of which parts are formed H in this support can be fixed with the aid of a with openings through which the stem of the clampscrew 23. The support 22 can rotate within 5 connecting rod extends, the arrangement being a ring 24 pivotally mounted at 25 on an exten- 25 such that tightening of the clamp screw not only sion 26 integral with the lower plate 2. A second clamps the stem to the support, but also clamps clamp screw 3|, threaded radially in the ring 24, the rotatable ring against the retaining flange serves to hold the support in fixed position in and thereby fixes the support, the connecting rod the ring 24. In this way a universal joint is 30 and the rotatable ring in the relative positions attained since the support 22 can rotate within 30 to which they have previously been adjusted. the ring 24 and the latter can rotate about the A constructional embodiment of the articulator pivot 25 which is arranged at right angles to the according to the present invention will now be axis of the sleeve. It is therefore possible to described by way of example with reference to arrange the axis of the rod l1, and consequently 5 the accompanying drawing in which: the upper plate I, in any desired position.

Fig. 1 shows a vertical longitudinal section of In order to limit the angular movement of the the articulator and upper section relative to the lower section, the

Fig. 2 shows a section of an optional refinement. known arrangement ay be made use of whereby Referring to Fig. l, the sections of the articua regulating screw 21 threaded in an extension 26 4o lator have the form of two plates l, 2 provided in the plate 2 acts as an adjustable abutment on their internal surfaces with a pair of fixed for a. projection 28' integral with the ring 24 and abutments 3, 3' and 4, 4' respectively, located therefore with the plate I through the multiple close to their external edges. The plates l, 2 joint described above. In order to remove any are formed with openings 5, G in which are slidpossibility of play in. the pivot 25, the plain open 5 ably arranged sliders I, 8, each provided with pivot may be replaced in known manner by an abutment movable with it under the action mounting between two conical points arranged of screws ll, l2 which can be actuated by means on opposite sides and provided with screw adof milled heads l3, I4 and which are threaded justment means. in female screw-threaded members l5, l6 integral Fig. 2 shows an improved constructional form with the sliders I, 8. The lower plate is also prcof the connecting support, comprising an external vided with projecting abutment members or feet part or sleeve 22" which can rotate on the ring on its under side 28. 24' and an internal part 29 the end 30 of which This arrangement enables each model to be forms a flange adjacent the ring 24'. The hole fitted and secured with rapidity against the through the part 29 is of somewhat oval cross internal surface of the corresponding section section so that the rod 21' has a small a unt 55 of play when the clamp screw 18 is its upper position. The ring 24' rotates about the pivot provided on the lower plate 2 and consequently the sleeve or external part 22""can rotate' on the ring 24' which rotates about an axis normal to that of the pivot pin 25. The clamp screw 21' serves both for fixing the rod 21' and for preventing movement oi the sleeve 22" on the ring 24'. When the screw 23' is tightened, the rod 27" is loweredtogether with the external part 22", so that the ring 24' is compressed between the internal part 29 and the flange l0 and all rotational movement is prevented, and the rod 21' is fixed by the screw against the interior wall of the part 29. Hence the axis 0! the rod 21' with fixed ball head it can be fixed in any required direction and the upper plate can be caused to assume any desired position on said head.

Obviously all the parts described may be constructed and arranged diflerently, or replaced by other analogous and equivalent members without exceeding the scope of the present invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a dental articulator comprising two articulated sections each adapted to support a plaster model, a rod connected by means of a ball and socket joint at one of its ends to one of said sections, a support for the second section in which support said rod is slidably and rotatably engaged, a ring rotatably retained on said support, and means connecting the ring to the secand section, said means being pivoted to the ring about an axis at right angles to the axis of rotation of the ring, the support for the second section having an inner member encircled by said ring, an outer ring member, said inner support gra ers member being encircled by said first-mentioned ring member, both the support member and said outer ring member being formed with openings through which the connecting rod extends, and said support member having also a clamp screw arranged to clamp said rod to the support and to clamp the ring members against rotation thereon.

2. An adjustable dental articulator, comprising a pair or shanks, a connecting rod for holding the shanks together, said rod having at one end a ball-joint connection with one of the shanks, a bearing member on the other shank, in which member the other end of said rod is mounted for displacement and oscillation; said member being constructed as a bearing box provided with a bottom flange and a ring relatively revoluble with regard to each other, said second shank having a bifurcated end engaging with said ring in such a manner that a connection is provided between the ring and the second shank which permits relative turning between the bearing box and the second shank in two planes perpendicular to each other.

3. An adjustable articulator in accordance with claim 2, in which the bearing member consists of an inner body portion having a clamp screw- MARIO GALE'I'I'I. 

